Because homophobia and transphobia remain etched into the woodwork of society, it is no surprise that queer and trans people, especially those of color, are intimately familiar with trauma. Themes of trauma and mental illness have become running jokes within the LGBTQ community as our sexual and gender orientations often leave us vulnerable to stigma, rejection, discrimination, harassment, and more. Despite the prevalence of these issues, our bodies and stories are rarely represented in the media. This project shares the voices of queer and trans people who experience mental illness in hopes of both chipping away at the stigmas associated with our identities and providing physical representation of conditions normally deemed invisible.

It can feel like a breath of fresh air to step into an exhibition like Emboldened, Embodied, where every piece of art is made by a Bay Area woman of color. Upon walking in, Angela Hennesy’s installation, made mostly out of Black hair, including her own, stands regally and mysteriously before you. The surrounding art launches you into the dynamic, intergenerational conversation between QTPOC creatives.

There is little information available on the intersection of mixed race and LGBTQ+ identities. In this installment of Community Profiles, we highlight the diverse experiences of mixed-race LGBTQ+ community members at Berkeley.

Alluvia Magazine is an up and coming publication and creative collective that centers environmental artists of color. Founded by Zahira Chaudry and Isaias Hernandez this past year, Alluvia has written on topics ranging from how instagramers are ruining public lands to why environmental artists of color should be paid for making their art. GIA MAG sat down for an intimate photoshoot and interview with co-founder Zahira Chaudry to discuss the intersection of art and environmental justice, white supremacy in how environmental movements, and why environmentalism is a queer movement.

Where We Belong is a multi-part project meant to center the narratives, experiences, healing, and empowerment of Black Trans Women in our communities. This first installment includes data on violences experienced by Black trans folks and coverage of BlackQT’s event, Black Trans Lives Matter. In a world where Black trans women experience so much erasure and violence, a seat at the table is only the beginning.

From October 20-27, 2019, UC Berkeley’s Queer Alliance & Resource Center (QARC) and Gender Equity Resource Center (GenEq) celebrated Asexual Awareness Week, an international campaign that celebrates the asexual community and educates about the complexities and misconceptions about asexuality. Spearheading the seven-day celebration, UC Berkeley sophomore and proud asexual Michelle Lin organized a number of events available to the public, including an Ace 101 Workshop and an Ace Game Night.

Through Prevention, Advocacy, Training, and Healing, the PATH to Care works to create a campus culture at UC Berkeley that is free of sexual violence and sexual harassment. Since 2014, the PATH to Care’s confidential advocates have been one of the primary resources available to survivors seeking services and support. The PATH to Care is unique in its commitment to centering survivors and prioritizing their self determination. In addition to its healing services, the PATH to Care betters the whole UC Berkeley community by working to prevent violence in the first place.

GIAMAG’s second community profile is on Ramil Mercado– an Aquarius legend, recent UC Berkeley graduate, coffee shop enthusiast, and avid world traveler. Even after having touched down on 45 countries (yes, forty-five!), Ramil’s most significant journey has been the navigation of his own queer identity. Ramil’s perseverance and his parent’s love have made the process of self-acceptance a beautiful adventure.

Visibility is crucial when it comes to the identities and narratives of those in the queer/trans community. We are unfortunately still subject to consistent invalidation and erasure on a daily basis; whether it be from society, or within the walls of our very own homes. With cultural, traditional,…

To honor of the origins of our publication, the GIA MAG team sat down for an intimate photoshoot with our namesake, Juniperangelica “Gia” Cordova, and our founder, Teddy Lake. In the accompanying interview, we asked Gia to tell our readers about herself.